Hurricane Energy PLC Operational and Financial Update (0768M)

TIDMHUR

RNS Number : 0768M

Hurricane Energy PLC

17 September 2021

17 September 2021

Hurricane Energy plc

("Hurricane" or the "Company")

Operational and Financial Update

Hurricane Energy plc, the UK based oil and gas company, provides an update on Lancaster field operations and net free cash balances as of 31 August 2021.

Lancaster Field Operations Update

The following table details production volumes, water cut and minimum flowing bottom hole pressure for the 205/21a-6 ("P6") well during August 2021.

August 2021 Lancaster Field Data

 
                                       P6     P7z(1) 
 O il produced during the month                 - 
  (Mbbls)                             355 
                                    -------  ------- 
 Average oil rate (bopd)             11,467     - 
                                    -------  ------- 
 W ater produced during the month     144       - 
  (Mbbls) 
                                    -------  ------- 
 A verage water cut(2)                29%       - 
                                    -------  ------- 
 Well gauge p ressure (psia)(3)      1,637      - 
                                    -------  ------- 
 
   1.       The 205/21a-7z ("P7z") well was not on production during August 2021 
   2.       Expressed as total water produced divided by total fluid (oil and water) production 
   3.       Pressure reported is the monthly minimum from well downhole gauge 

As previously noted, the production rate immediately following the completion of the annual shutdown was elevated leading to the average oil rate for August being higher than in previous months. This increased production rate was accompanied initially by a greater rate of decline, such that the current oil production is now similar to the rate seen just prior to the shutdown.

As of 15 September 2021, Lancaster was producing c.10,800 bopd from the P6 well alone with an associated water cut of c.33%.

As previously announced, the 24(th) cargo of Lancaster oil, totalling approximately 505 Mbbls, was lifted in late-August 2021. Over 10 million barrels of Lancaster crude have now been produced and sold from the Lancaster field. The next cargo is expected to be lifted in early- to mid-October 2021.

Financial Update

As of 31 August 2021, the Company had net free cash(4) of $144 million, compared to the last reported figure of $122 million as of 31 July 2021.

On 15 September 2021, Hurricane completed the repurchase of approximately 34% of its outstanding $230 million 7.5% Convertible Bonds due in July 2022 at a cost of $62 million (including accrued interest), reducing the par value of Convertible Bonds held by third parties to $152 million. The repurchased bonds were cancelled on 16 September 2021.

The Company believes that net free cash provides a useful measure of liquidity after settling all its immediate creditors and accruals and recovering amounts due and accrued from joint operation activities, outstanding amounts from crude oil sales and after settling any other financial trade payables or receivables. It should be noted that the net free cash is calculated as at the balance sheet date and does not take into account future liabilities that the Company is already committed to. As such, not all of the net free cash would be available for repayment of the Convertible Bonds at their maturity in July 2022.

4. Unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, plus current financial trade and other receivables, current oil price derivatives, less current financial trade and other payables.

2021 Interim Results and appointment of external auditor

At the Company's most recent Annual General Meeting, held on 30 June 2021, the Resolution to re-appoint Deloitte LLP as the Company's auditors was not passed. Following the outcome of a tender process, the Company is pleased to confirm the appointment of PKF Littlejohn LLP ("PKF") as its new external auditor. PKF are now commencing their review of the Company's interim financial statements for the six months ended 30 June 2021.

As such, the Company anticipates releasing its 2021 interim report and half-year results on 14 October 2021, taking advantage of the one-month extension allowable by AIM to release interim financial statements within four months of the interim balance sheet date rather than three months.

-ends-

Contacts:

 
 Hurricane Energy plc 
  Antony Maris, Chief Executive Officer 
  [e-mail]            [phone] 
 Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited 
  Nominated Adviser & Joint Corporate Broker 
  Callum Stewart / Jason Grossman               [phone] 
 Investec Bank plc 
  Joint Corporate Broker 
  Chris Sim / Jarrett Silver                    [phone] 
 
 Vigo Consulting 
  Public Relations 
  Patrick d'Ancona / Ben Simons 
  [e-mail]                  [phone] 
 

About Hurricane

Hurricane has a 100% interest in and operates the Lancaster field, the UK's first field to produce from a fractured basement reservoir.

Hurricane also has a 50% interest in the Greater Warwick Area licence, which contains the Lincoln and Warwick assets.

Visit Hurricane's website at www.hurricaneenergy.com

Glossary

 
 bopd    Barrels of oil per day 
 Mbbls   Thousand barrels 
        ================================ 
 psia    pounds per square inch absolute 
        ================================ 
 

Inside Information

This announcement does not contain inside information.

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September 17, 2021 01:59 ET (05:59 GMT)